THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


t 


e 


THE  ANDOVER  PRESS 
ANDOVER.   MASS. 


VIEW   FROM   MRS.  THAXTER'S  GARDEN   GATE 


PREFACE 

SINCE  sleep  sails  far  away  when  the 
heart  is  full  of  such  sweet  longing,  I 
will  venture  to  write  you,  dear,  while  the 
dew  is  yet  falling  and  only  the  first  rays  of 
the  dawn  dare  look  with  rosy  light  in  your 
sacred  window. 

The  Islands  are  still  sleeping  in  the  em 
brace  of  the  quiet  Ocean,  though  the  glory 
of  the  uprushing  Sun  begins  to  gild  the 
eastern  cliffs  of  Appledore  with  ineffable 
splendor,  and  paint  the  sea  and  sky  in  ever 
changing  shades  of  celestial  color! 

Oh,  the  radiant  happiness  that  comes 
with  the  advancing  day!  Wild  roses  fill  the 
enchanted  air  with  delicate  fragrance,  and 
the  sparrows  sing  as  if  they  had  but  one 
moment  in  which  to  crowd  the  whole  rap 
ture  of  the  morning! 

Here,  where  the  sea  encircles  the  wave- 


550094 


PREFACE 

washed  shore  like  a  caressing  hand,  and  the 
murmur  of  the  water  reaches  me  with  almost 
the  sweetness  of  your  dear  voice,  I  will  tell 
you  how  much  I  love  you. 


SONG 

SWEET  wind  that  blows  o'er  sunny  Isles 

The  softness  of  the  sea, 
Blow  thou  across  these  moving  miles 

News  of  my  love  to  me. 

Ripples  her  hair  like  waves  that  sweep 

About  this  pleasant  shore; 
Her  eyes  are  bluer  than  the  deep 

Round  rocky  Appledore. 

Her  sweet  breast  shames  the  scattered  spray 

Soft  kissed  by  early  light; 
I  dream  she  is  the  dawn  of  day 

That  lifts  me  out  of  night! 


WHITE  ISLAND.   LOOKING   SOUTHWEST  FROM  APPLEDORE. 


SONG 

THE  clover  blossoms  kiss  her  feet, 

She  is  so  sweet. 

While  I,  who  may  not  kiss  her  hand, 
Bless  all  the  wild  flowers  in  the  land. 

Soft  sunshine  falls  across  her  breast, 

She  is  so  blest. 

I'm  jealous  of  its  arms  of  gold, 
Oh,  that  these  arms  her  form  might  fold! 

Gently  the  breezes  kiss  her  hair, 

She  is  so  fair. 

Let  flowers  and  sun  and  breeze  go  by,  - 
Oh  dearest!  love  me,  or  I  die. 


11 


SONG 

WARM  blows  the  south  wind  over  Apple- 

dore! 
The    northern    gales    that    whirled    the 

winter  main 
In  leagues  of  foam,  rage  round  these  Isles 

no  more; 

Through    melting    haze    summer    drifts 
north  again. 

And  thou  art  here — Oh, radiant  is  the  day! 
The  clover  blooms,  our  lonely  Isles  grow 

fair, 
Soft  sunshine  falls  across  the  slumbering 

bay, 
The  sparrow's  song  fills  the  enchanted  air. 

Sweet,  when  you  turn  your  lovely  eyes  on 

me 

I  feel  the  winter's  sorrow  disappear, 
As  dawn  divine  makes  glad  a  storm-swept 

sea! 

You  are  my  Sun,  my  Song,  my  Summer, 
Dear. 


13 


APPLEDORE    HOUSE,    BUILT   IN 


SONG 

BEHOLD!  this  pearly  glow  of  dawn 

Dims  all  the  star-gemmed  fields  of  night, 

Curtains  of  darkness  are  withdrawn, 

And  sunrise  paints  the  clouds  with  light! 

Awake!  the  morning  greets  the  world 
With  radiant  sunshine  on  the  deep! 

While  ships  go  by  with  s.iils  unfurled 
Are  thy  dear  eyes  still  closed  in  sleep? 

These  rays  that  on  thy  windows  shine 

Carey  my  steadfast  hope  afar 
To  sweater  days,  when  thou  art  mine, 

Soft  nightfall,  and  the  evening  star! 


15 


SONG 

LISTEN,  my  sweet,  the  robins  call! 

Through  melting  haze  the  bluebird  flies, 
Pansies  beside  my  garden  wall 

Look  up  to  heaven  in  thine  eyes. 

From  far-off  fragrant  fields  there  blows 
The  south  wind's  exquisite  caress, 

It  whispers  with  the  radiant  rose 
Of  thy  diviner  loveliness. 

Oh,  thou  art  sweet  as  morning  air 
When  heralds  of  the  smiling  spring 

Spread  their  bright  banners  everywhere, 
And  wild  with  joy  the  robins  sing! 


16 


TO     POLLY 

WILL  the  brown  thrush  ever  sing, 
Or  the  rose  start  blossoming? 
Winter  days  have  seemed  so  long 
Waiting  for  the  sparrow's  song! 
We  will  dream  that  lilies  blow 
Whiter  than  this  drifted  snow, 
Roses  in  a  warm  wind  sway 
Over  drifts  of  yesterday, 
Lifting  blossoms  in  the  air 
Fragrant  and  divinely  fair! 
May  I  tell  thee,  Polly  dear, 
Summer  dawns  when  thou  art  near? 
I  forget  the  frost  and  rain 
Holding  thy  warm  hands  again. 


17 


VlKW    FROM    TUB    SoTTHEASTF.RN*    POINT    OF    APPLEDORE 


A     PRAYER 

OUR  Father,  hear  my  earnest  prayer, 
Help  me  to  hold  myself  upright, 
To  live  more  blameless  in  Thy  sight, 

More  worthy  of  Thy  gracious  care. 

I  ask  these  precious  gifts  of  Thee, 
To  make  my  ways  less  selfish  grow, 
With  sweeter  thoughts  my  heart  bestow, 

Send  love  and  hope  to  dwell  with  me. 

When  others  waver  with  their  load, 
Grant  me  the  greatest  gift  of  all, 
The  wish  to  help  them,  lest  they  fall, 

In  the  rough  places  of  the  road. 


19 


AT    SUNSET 

COME  thou  with  me,  dear  love,  and  see  the 
day 

Die  on  the  sea,  and  o'er  the  distant  land 
This  last  faint  glow  of  twilight  fade  away, 

The  while  I  hold  in  mine  thy  gentle  hand. 

The  lessening  light  gleams  on  yon  leaning 
sail; 

Slowly  the  sun  has  sunk  beyond  the  hill, 
And  sombre  night  in  silence  draws  her  veil 

Over  us  two,  and  everything  grows  still. 

Save  when  the  tide,  with  constant  ebb  and 

flow 

Of  wandering  waves  that  greet  the  stead 
fast  shore, 

Flashes  fair  forms  of  foam  that,  falling,  throw 
Their  arms  of  snow  round  lovely  Apple- 
dore. 


20 


AT   SUNSET 

Faint,  like  a  dream  comes  the  melodious  cry 
Of  far-off  wild  fowl  calling  from  the  deep; 

The  rosy  color  leaves  the  western  sky ; 

Over  the  waves  are  spread  the  wings  of 
sleep. 

Silent  a  meteor  falls  into  the  night 

Sweeping    its    silver    shower    across    the 

stars ; 

Low  down  Arcturus  sinks  with  waning  light, 
High   in   the  east  climbs  up  the  shining 
Mars. 

And  whispering  by  us  with  a  silent  kiss 
Comes    the    sweet    south    wind    o'er    the 

slumbering  sea. 

Thou  dearest,  can  such  perfect  joy  as  this 
Be  always  mine,  to  drift  through  life  with 
thee? 


21 


LOUISE 

EVENING  enfolds  our  perfect  day 
With  arms  of  gold,  gently  the  breeze 
Dies  in  the  dark  magnolia  trees, 

While  sunset  splendors  fade  away. 

In  the  soft  dusk  the  stars  grow  bright, 
Their  light  is  mirrored  in  thine  eyes, 
As  slow  the  constellations  rise 

Out  of  the  velvet  depths  of  night! 

Behold  Orion's  radiant  beams! 

Louise,  my  sweet,  though  all  these  gems 
The  regal  robe  of  Heaven  hems, 

Thou  art  the  starlight  of  my  dreams. 


22 


SLUMBER    SONG 

SLEEP,  my  precious  baby  girl, 
Darkness  dims  the  glowing  west! 

Daffodils  their  petals  furl, 
Sparrows  cuddle  in  the  nest. 

While  the  lily  leans  in  sleep, 

Close  thine  eyes  and  do  not  fear, 

Till  the  dawn  begins  to  peep, 
Mother's  arms  enfold  thee,  dear. 

She  will  guard  thee  through  the  night, 
Hold  thee  safe  until  the  day, 

With  a  shaft  of  golden  light, 
Drives  the  naughty  dark  away! 


23 


CELIA  THAXTER'S   COTTAGE 


DREAM 

I  DREAM  wild  winter  winds  are  still, 
O'er  lily  buds  the  spring  birds  fly, 

Hope  paints  the  golden  daffodil 
In  splendid  raiment,  by  and  by. 

With  Mary,  like  a  rose  in  white, 

We  hear  the  sparrows  sweet  and  strong, 
Striving  to  match  in  pure  delight 

The  thrushes'  ecstasy  of  song! 

I  wake  to  find  new  fallen  snow, 
Veiled  in  wild  storm  my  shining  skies, 

No  daffodils  or  lilies  blow, 

Yet,  summer  glows  in  Mary's  eyes. 


25 


SONG 

WILL  you  love  me,  Mary  dear? 
Keep  your  answer  for  awhile, 
Wait  until  your  lips  can  smile 

And  this  frown  shall  disappear. 

Mary's  face  is  sweet  and  fair, 
Yet  my  courage  seems  to  flee 
When  she  turns  her  eyes  on  me 

Through  the  tangles  of  her  hair. 

Answer  me,  dear  love,  to-day 
While  I  fold  your  hands  in  mine 
Closer  still,  as  warm  sunshine 

Woos  the  precious  buds  of  May! 


26 


9P-        ..;'' 


STAR   ISLAND   AND  THE   "OCEANIC"    FROM   APPLEDORE 


SONG 

A  STORM  is  gathering  in  the  air, 
The  gulls  fly  high  in  circles  wide, 
Deep  murmurs  usher  in  the  tide 

Foaming  o'er  rocks  all  brown  and  bare. 

These  precious  Isles  are  anchored  fast, 
Storm-swept  by  many  a  northeast  gale 
That  rends  the  bolt  rope  from  the  sail, 

And  breaks  in  twain  the  groaning  mast! 

O  love,  my  heart  is  like  the  sea, 

Surging  with  every  gale  that  blows, 
Longing  for  winds  that  bring  the  rose, 

The  happy  summer-time  and  thee. 


28 


THE  OLD  CHURCH    ON   STAR   ISLAND 


SONG 

AT  last  the  warmer  sunbeams  reach 

Our  far-off,  storm-swept  coast  of  Maine, 

With  colors  for  the  flowering  peach, 
And  beauty  to  the  woods  again. 

This  rapture  in  the  sparrow's  song 
A  golden  thought  of  summer  brings, 

Of  love  and  hope,  as  days  grow  long, 
Woven  with  the  sweet  whir  of  wings ! 

Robins  are  piping  in  the  hedge, 
Roses  their  darling  buds  unfold, 

And  splendid,  at  my  garden's  edge, 
The  yellow  jonquils  spill  their  gold. 


30 


N  I  GHT  FA  LL 

THE  evening  splendor  lights  her  face 

Shading  with  gold  her  sun-kist  hair, 

It  falls  on  pearly  folds  of  lace, 

And  all  the  sweetness  sheltered  there. 

Oh,  love,  so  fair  in  sunset  light, 

Or  in  the  radiant  arms  of  day, 

Thy  perfect  loveliness  tonight 

Has  swept  my  very  soul  away! 

Dearest,  the  darkness  veils  the  land, 

Softly  a  vesper  sparrow  sings, 

And  while  I  hold_thy  gentle  hand, 

I  would  not  change  my  place  with  kings! 

Abide  with  us,  O  friendly  moon, 

The  jealous  morning  dawns  too  soon. 


31 


FAREWELL 

GOOD-BYE,  Sweetheart,  how  can  I  leave  thee,  dear, 
While  such  enchantments  hold  me  at  thy  feet? 
My  days,  so  full  of  charm  when  thou  art  near, 
Dawn  in  despair  away  from  thee,  my  sweet. 

Robins  fly  north,  the  sun  has  crossed  the  line! 
Brave  mocking-birds  and  peerless  thrushes  meet, 
Filling  the  air  with  melody  divine; 
Roses  are  blooming  in  our  path,  my  sweet. 

Yet  I  must  leave  thee  for  a  far-off  shore, 
Where  wind-swept  ocean  rocks  my  anchored  fleet ! 
May  I  return  to  clasp  thy  hands  once  more 
And  hear  again  thy  whispers  low  and  sweet? 


SONG 

WHITE  Island  Light  is  lost  in  mist, 

Veiled  in  wild  storm  the  distant  shore, 

Yet,  yesterday  the  sunlight  kist 
The  eastern  cliffs  of  Appledore! 

My  boat  is  plunging  through  the  gale, 
Darkness  and  wind  and  flying  spray 

May  rend  the  bolt  rope  from  my  sail, 
Or  carry  the  brave  mast  away! 

Tomorrow's  sun  may  find  the  sea 
All  radiant,  and  my  day  divine, 

And  one  I  love  may  smile  on  me, 
Keeping  her  gentle  hand  in  mine. 


34 


WHITE   ISLAND   LIGHT 


LADY     BANKSIA     ROSE 

SWAYING  in  the  sunlit  air! 
Dainty  and  divinely  fair, 
With  a  wealth  of  purest  gold, 
When  these  darling  buds  unfold, 
Sweeter  hopes  thy  blossoms  bring, 
Golden  flower  of  the  spring! 
Though  among  the  tender  green 
Sprays  of  jasmine  are  seen, 
Thou  art  first,  my  precious  one, 
Dancing  in  the  morning  sun! 
In  late  February  days, 
Wrhen  the  sunlight  longer  stays, 
And  the  hyacinths  appear, 
Lo,  my  Lady's  Rose  is  here! 


36 


WHITE  ISLAND. 


HER    SHAWL 

DEAREST,   where  art  thou?     In   the  silent 

room 

I  find  this  wonder  of  some  foreign  loom, 
Thy  silken  shawl,  whose  lines  of  loveliness 
The  matchless  beauty  of  thy  form  caress. 
Delicate  raiment,  shall  I  dare  infold 
All  these  warm  kisses  mid   thy  threads  of 

gold? 

Oh,  hold  them  close  her  icy  heart  above, 
Melting  its  winter  into  summer's  love! 
Beneath  her  coldness  fonder  still  I  grow, 
As  violets  bloom  along  the  edge  of  snow, 
Through  my  sad  heart  there  drifts  a  hope 

divine, 
O'er  seas  storm-swept  shall  softer  mornings 

shine; 

So  love  may  dawn  for  me  while  at  thy  feet 
I   wait,    and   kiss   thy   garment's   hem,    my 

sweet. 


38 


ALICE     PIERREPONT 

ABOVE  her  grave  the  sparrow  sings 
With  radiant  joy,  summer  is  near, 
Fresh  hope  the  lovely  south  wind  brings; 
Oh,  could  it  wake  you,  Alice  dear! 
Once  more  I  see  her  matchless  grace 
Through  tears  I  cannot  yet  restrain ; 
Dear  visions  of  her  blessed  face, 
I  hear  her  gentle  voice  again ! 
O  memory  of  a  woman  sweet, 
So  true,  so  beautiful  and  brave, 
Let  me  draw  near  with  reverent  feet 
And  lay  these  wild  flowers  on  thy  grave, 
The  first  anemones  that  sway 
Their  blossoms  in  the  winds  of  May. 


39 


TRAP   DIKE,    APPLEDOKE 


SONG 

SOFT  falls  the  light  o'er  birch  and  pine 
And  dark  green  hemlock  tree; 

My  days  seem  growing  more  divine 
Since  Mary  smiles  on  me. 

Dark  clouds  that  veiled  the  east  at  dawn 

Are  fading  fast  away, 
Sunlight  is  on  the  tasseled  corn, 

Sweet  southern  breezes  sway. 

And  sparrows  by  the  roadside  sing, 

Piping  enchantingly; 
I  find  delight  in  everything 

Since  Mary  smiles  on  me. 


41 


MARY,   CEDRIC   LAlGHTuN'S   GRANDCHILD 


TO     MARY 

SWEET  are  these  flowers,  yet  Mary  is  more  fair; 
Shaded  with  goldenrod  her  sun-kissed  hair. 
I  look  in  her  blue  eyes  and  can  forget 
The  Heaven  reflected  in  this  violet  - 
Or,  sweeter  still,  behold  the  lovely  grace 
Of  this  fair  dawn  of  roses  in  her  face 
Fresh  as  the  first  anemones  that  swing 
Their  tinted  petals  in  the  winds  of  Spring. 
O  storms  of  life,  that  bend  us  all  like  reeds, 
Spare  this  dear  lily  blooming  o'er  the  weeds! 
O  time,  that  all  her  unknown  future  holds, 
Make  soft  the  gales  while  this  sweet  bud  unfolds, 
So  she  may  grow  like  wild  flowers  in  our  land, 
Pure  as  these  blossoms  in  her  gentle  hand. 


43 


LUCY 

HOPELESS  my  halting  verse  to  tell 
What  dear  delights  with  Lucy  dwell, 
I  drift  about  in  fond  despair 
Trying  to  sketch  her  lovely  hair, 
Her  dainty  dress,  and  twinkling  feet, 
Nothing  on  earth  seems  half  as  sweet. 
There  are  so  many  charms  beside 
The  loveliness  her  laces  hide, 
How  can  I  make  you  understand 
The  matchless  beauty  of  her  hand, 
Or  the  entrancing  light  that  lies 
In  the  sweet  heaven  of  her  eyes? 
In  vain  the  damask  roses  seek 
To  match  the  velvet  of  her  cheek. 


44 


ROCKS  AT  APPLEDORE 


MARY 

AWAKE,  dear  Love,  the  thrush  is  here! 
The  first  refreshing  rose  is  seen 
Superb  above  the  tender  green, 
And  golden  daffodils  appear! 
White  lilies  sway  in  waning  light, 
As  through  our  garden  softly  blows, 
Freighted  with  fragrance  of  the  rose, 
Warm  breezes  of  the  pleasant  night. 
O,  wealth  of  bloom,  by  soft  airs  fanned, 
What  splendor  these  sweet  buds  unfold ! 
Yet,  charms  the  whitest  lilies  hold 
Yield  to  the  beauty  of  thy  hand. 
Red  rose  and  lily  interlace 
Their  loveliness  in  Mary's  face. 


46 


A  CORNER  OF  MRS.  THAXTER'S  PARLOR 


AMY 

STORM-CLOUDS  drift  by  full  of  a  far-off  fear! 
The  day  may  be  all  darkness  or  be  clear, 
I  care  not,  O  my  Love,  since  thou  art  near 
With  charms  more  sweet  than  summer  weather,  dear. 
The  sun,  the  moon,  the  distant  stars  may  shine, 
They  cannot  match  those  splendid  eyes  of  thine, 
Or  dim  the  grace  that  makes  thee  most  divine; 
Oh,  might  this  winning  sweetness  yet  be  mine 
With  all  the  joys  such  loveliness  enshrine! 
Enchanting  hope  grows  faint  with  thy  delay, 
My  heart  is  longing  for  some  fairer  day 
W7hen  in  sweet  airs  the  yielding  rosebuds  sway, 
And  clouds  grow  soft,  while  radiant  sunbeams  lay 
A  path  of  gold  along  my  lonely  way. 


48 


LAKE    SUNAPEE 

GEM  of  New  Hampshire's  granite  hills! 

Made  beautiful  as  waning  day 

Enchanting  colors  on  thee  lay, 

And  dying  winds  thy  water  stills. 

These  mountains  round  thee  brush  the  skies! 

Southward  that  towering  height  we  see 

Through  purple  haze,  is  Sunapee! 

Eastward  the  giant  Kearsarge  lies. 

Cloud-kist  Ascutney  gleams  afar, 

And  Croyden's  summit  softly  glows, 

As  sunset  paints  the  hills  with  rose 

Under  the  evening's  silver  star! 

Divinely  still  in  fading  light 

The  Lake  lies  in  the  arms  of  night. 


49 


MISS  UNDERHILL'S  CHAIR,   STAR   ISLAND 


THE    SMILE    OF    HEAVEN 

THE  stars  that  shone  on  Galilee 

When  love  and  truth  came  nearer  earth, 

With  our  dear  Savior's  blessed  birth, 

Are  shining  on  Lake  Sunapee! 

The  Abenaki  called  thy  name 

"The  Smile  of  God",  as  through  the  trees 

They  saw  thee  ripple  in  the  breeze, 

Today  thy  waters  smile  the  same. 

Fair  Gem,  among  the  mountains  set, 

Here,  where  the  doe  and  timid  fawn 

Drank,  in  the  freshness  of  the  dawn, 

Primeval  wildness  folds  thee  yet. 

The  graceful  birch  and  giant  pine 

Still  round  thy  shores  their  arms  entwine! 


51 


YACHT   TWILIGHT 


LAND-LOCKED     WATER 

The  moon  shines  on  Lake  Sunapee! 
Calmly  it  sleeps  with  all  its  charms 
Locked   in   the  mountain's  steadfast  arms, 
A  thousand  feet  above  the  sea! 
Flushed  with  the  dawn  I  love  it  best, 
When  sunrise  splendors  gently  wake 
The  sleeping  beauties  of  the  Lake, 
And  lay  warm  kisses  on  its  breast. 
How  swift  the  colors  change  from  pearl 
To  softest  pink,  with  shades  of  gold, 
Deep  crimson  rays  the  clouds  enfold ; 
The  Lake  seems  blushing  like  a  girl. 
By  verdant  banks  I  drift  and  dream 
Watching  the  trout  flash  in  the  stream. 


53 


THE    SOUTH     MILL     POND 

"HARDLY  a  gem"  I  hear  you  say, 
Yet,  had  you  seen  the  stream  today, 
The  water  like  a  mirror  lay, 
As  the  sweet  west  wind  died  away, 
You  might  have  thought  it  passing  fair. 
Villas  and  trees  were  mirrored  there, 
And  beautiful  beyond  compare 
It  caught  the  fleecy  clouds  of  air! 
In  sunset  lights  I  love  it  best, 
Flashing  the  radiance  of  the  west, 
When  gulls  come  sailing  in  to  rest 
On  the  calm  surface  of  its  breast. 
Beneath  this  giant  elm  I  dream 
Of  Heaven  mirrored  in  the  stream. 


54 


WINTER     STARS 

VEILED  in  a  mist  of  silver  rain 
Dim  Alcyone  softly  gleams, 
Lost  for  a  thousand  years  she  seems 
To  light  the  Pleiades  again! 
There  Sirius  shows  its  mighty  star, 
And  Perseus  with  his  sword  on  high, 
Forever  speeds  across  the  sky 
To  save  the  chained  Andromeda! 
Will  Taurus  to  Orion  yield? 
The  belted  hero  checks  the  flight 
Of  fair  Europa  through  the  night, 
Resplendent  beams  their  battlefield' 
Brave  deeds  that  happened  long  ago 
Still  in  the  midnight  heavens  show. 


55 


BECALMED 

LIKE  a  dream  the  moon  shone  down 

On  the  craft  off  Provincetown. 

With  them  on  the  shining  bay, 

My  old  fishing  schooner  lay, 

Rolling  gently  with  the  tide, 

Her  rough  rigging  glorified, 

Outlined  on  the  moonlit  stream 

Like  a  ship  seen  in  a  dream ; 

Slow  the  movement  of  her  rails, 

Filled  aloft  her  idle  sails. 

Though  so  calm  that  pleasant  night, 

From  my  boat  to  Highland  Light, 

Awful  under  winter  stars, 

Crash  the  waves  on  Peaked  Hill  Bars! 


56 


VENUS 

The  Arabs  shout,  El  Zorah!  Heaven's  Queen, 

When  in  the  west  this  lovely  star  is  seen, 

Following  ever  the  transcendent  sun, 

In  silver  radiance  when  the  day  is  done, 

Growing  intense,  as  the  soft  twilight  dies, 

She  gleams  supreme  along  the  western  skies! 

Venus!  the  Beautiful,  Homer  wrote  thy  name, 

Splendor  of  Heaven!  thou  art  known  to  fame, 

Or  Phosphorus,  seen  through  morning's  fading  mist, 

Sweet  Hesperus,  if  by  glowing  evening  kist! 

Beside  thy  rays  the  mighty  Sirius  pales, 

And  dazzling  Jupiter's  refulgence  fails. 

Shining  divinely  in  the  darkening  light 

The  jewel,  Venus,  clasps  the  robe  of  night! 


57 


CELIA   THAXTKR 


CEDRIC   LAIGHTON 


SONGS    FROM 
SOUTH    CAROLINA 


IN     CAMDEN     TOWN 

THE  Seaboard  Air  Line  speeding  down 

Leaves  me  again  in  Camden  town; 

Proud  Land  of  romance  and  delight, 

Land  of  the  bluejay's  azure  flight, 

Or  cardinals  on  flaming  wings, 

Where  songs  of  Heaven  the  brown  thrush  sings ! 

Through  the  tall  zenith-reaching  pines 

How  beautiful  the  sunlight  shines, 

And  mocking-birds  are  singing,  hark! 

That  fluting  was  a  meadow  lark. 

Dear  children  at  the  schoolhouse  door 

Greet  their  old  northern  friend  once  more; 

With  love  I  clasp  each  friendly  hand 

Of  comrades  in  this  pleasant  land. 


64 


SOUTHERN     SONG 

SUNLIGHT  in  the  window  shines, 
Blue  jays  calling  from  the  pines, 
Mammy  must  be  up  betimes 
Working  for  her  baby. 

Dearest  must  not  stay  in  bed, 
Sun-kist  clouds  are  overhead, 
Banks  of  roses  blushing  red 
Waiting  for  my  baby. 

Soft  the  Southern  breezes  blow, 
Daddy's  working  with  his  hoe, 
That  will  make  the  cotton  grow 
For  my  darling  baby. 

Harvest  time  will  soon  be  here, 
Drifted  snow  the  fields  appear, 
Mammy'll  make  a  dress  this  year 
For  her  little  baby. 

Blessed  Southland  calm  and  fair, 
Song  and  fragrance  fill  the  air 
With  enchantment  everywhere 
For  my  precious  baby. 


65 


WHEN     BETTY     PLAYS 

DRIFTING  through  the  open  door 
Streams  of  radiant  sunshine  pour, 
Bringing  ripples  sweet  and  strong 
Of  the  brown  thrush's  lovely  song, 
And  a  sweeter  note  is  heard 
From  the  matchless  mocking-bird, 
Yet,  they  listen  mid  the  trees 
If  our  Betty  charms  the  keys! 
Bird  songs  in  the  garden  hush, 
Silent  is  the  jealous  thrush, 
Hearing  golden  notes  with  me 
Of  Beethoven's  symphony! 
There  is  magic  in  the  days 
When  delightful  Betty  plays. 


66 


SONG 

A  BREEXE  of  evening  gently  blows 
Over  this  magic  Southern  Land, 

It  moves  the  petals  of  the  rose 
In  Mary  Kirkland's  lovely  hand. 

Her  eyes  with  starlike  softness  shine, 
Sweeter  than  the  first  rose  is  she, 

Can  anything  be  more  divine 
Than  Mary,  when  she  smiles  on  me? 

Twilight  and  evening's  silver  star 
Glowing  through  fading  gold  of  day! 

The  gates  of  Heaven  seem  ajar 
When  Mary  meets  me  on  my  way. 


67 


SONG     OF    THE    THRUSH 

DEAR  Comrade,  where  art  thou?    My  song  is  for  thee, 

Night's  curtain  is  darkening  the  west! 
I  search  the  green  boughs  of  our  sheltering  tree, 

Through  the  rose  path  that  leads  to  our  nest. 

The  evening's  soft  splendor  is  fading  away, 
Glowing  still,  where  the  sun  sank  from  sight, 

In  the  sweet  arms  of  twilight  slumbers  the  day, 
And  the  planet  of  Love  woos  the  night! 

'Mid  whispering  leaves  I  am  singing  again 

Of  the  rapture  thy  loveliness  brings, 
From  heaven-kissed  branches  I  hear  thy  refrain, 

And  the  musical  rush  of  thy  wings! 


68 


IN     THE     COTTON     BELT 

HENRY  CLAY!  you  still  in  bed  , 
When  the  sun,  far  overhead, 
Paints  the  rose  a  deeper  red? 
Oh,  you  lazy  baby. 

Good  for  nothing  little  thing, 
Meadow  larks  are  on  the  wing! 
Don't  you  hear  the  thrushes  sing 
Sweetest  songs  for  baby? 

Ever  since  the  dawn  of  day 
Birds  keep  calling  "Henry  Clay"! 
They  must  have  a  lot  to  say 
To  my  little  baby. 

That  old  bluejay  seems  to  know 
You  is  nothing  but  a  crow! 
Strange  your  Mammy  loves  you  so, 
Piccaninny  baby. 


69 


SOUTHERN     PINES 

GROVES  of  majestic  Southern  Pines! 
Straight  as  the  arrow  leaves  the  bow, 
These  splendid  long-leaf  giants  grow 

From  beds  of  tangled  weeds  and  vines. 

Above  the  Heaven-kissing  trees, 
Magnificent  against  the  sky,  ' 
They  lift  their  graceful  leaves  on  high 

To  whisper  with  the  passing  breeze. 

Their  cones  must  fall  a  hundred  feet! 
If  ever  on  the  war-swept  Main 
Commerce  unfurls  her  sails  again, 

Here  are  the  spars  to  speed  our  Fleet! 


70 


WILD     JASMINE 

SOFTER  lights  on  Hobkirk  Hill 
This  dear  sunkist  flower  throws, 
Gemmed  with  bloom  before  the  rose, 

Or  the  golden  daffodil. 

Storming  up  the  budding  trees, 
Foaming  o'er  the  garden  wall, 
Sprays  of  sunlit  petals  fall 

In  the  fragrant  southern  breeze. 

Darling  flower  of  the  spring, 
Stored  up  sunshine  of  the  year, 
Thou  art  bringing  summer  near 

With  thy  lovely  blossoming. 


71 


SOUTHERN     FLOWERS 

IN  South  Carolina,  where  the  cotton  grows, 
Home  of  the  thrush  and  golden  Sunset  Rose, 
Thy  falling  blossoms  in  the  warm  wind  blow 
While  yet  New  England  lies  beneath  the  snow! 
Dear  Southern  flowers,  Oh,  if  I  could  sing 
The  strange  sweet  joys  these  lovely  roses  bring; 
Swaying  supreme  and  most  divinely  fair, 
They  yield  their  fragrance  to  enchanted  air! 
With  colors  stolen  from  the  clouds  of  dawn, 
Or  from  the  sunset's  pearly  light  withdrawn. 
How  exquisite  these  darling  buds  unfold 
Their  matchless  petals  tinged  with  glowing  gold ! 
Splendors  of  sunrise,  irised  o'er  with  dews, 
Brave  tints  of  evening  melting  in  their  hues. 


72 


SOUTHERN    SONG 

THE  peach   trees  are  blooming,   the  air  is 
divine, 

And  sweetly  the  mocking  birds  sing! 
Red  roses  are  swaying  in  softest  sunshine, 

All  nature  is  greeting  the  spring. 

Yet,  something  more  fair,  in  this  beautiful 

land, 

I  find  in  my  fond  heart  to-day, 
This  dear  Southern   lassie,    I   hold   by   the 

hand, 
Is  sweeter  than  blossoms  of  May! 

I  love  thee,  brave  Southland,  thou  home  of 

the  rose, 

Thy  mocking  bird's  chorus  of  pride, 
This   fragrance   of   heaven    that   over   thee 

blows, 
But,  dearer  the  girl  at  my  side. 


73 


BARON   DEKALB 

Ax  Hobkirk  Inn  we  gathered  round  the  light 
To  hear  discussion  of  the  Camden  Fight! 
Tell  us  the  story  of  DeKalb,  we  cried, 
The  noble  soldier  who  for  freedom  died, 
Who  was  the  gentle  Chevallier,  his  friend, 
Guarding  the  fallen  Baron  till  the  end, 
And  as  he  felt  his  Comrade's  hand  grow  cold, 
Bowed  low  his  head  and  wept,  we  have  been  told? 
Baron  DeKalb,  the  Major  rose  to  tell. 
In  Camden,  South  Carolina,  fighting  fell! 
In  seventeen  eighty,  dead  the  Baron  lay, 
His  memory  stirs  our  grateful  hearts  today, 
Ah,  brave  DeKalb,  though  gallantly  you  led, 
The  field  was  lost,  and  General  Gates  had  fled! 


74 


RICHARD     KIRKLAN1) 

ALAS,  that  brothers  meet  and  fight, 
Two  wrongs  have  never  made  a  right! 
So  thought  young  Richard  Kirkland,  when, 
At  Fredericksburg  he  led  his  men; 
Thick  at  the  front,  that  awful  day, 
A  host  of  wounded  Northmen  lay. 
Water,  they  cried,  we  die  of  thirst! 
Brave  Richard  Kirkland  was  the  first 
Who  crossed  with  water  to  our  side, 
And  many  blessed  him  as  they  died. 
Though  bullets  swept  the  field  like  rain, 
Again  he  crossed,  and  yet  again! 
Such  Christlike  deeds  forever  show 
The  spirit  of  the  Southern  Foe. 


75 


THE  CHEVALLIER  DuBUYSSON 

IN  seventeen-eighty,  that  was  long  ago, 

Camden  was  fighting  with  the  British  foe; 

DuBuysson,  wounded,  struggling  to  defend 

The  body  of  DeKalb,  his  fallen  friend, 

From  bayonet  thrusts,  his  brave  arms  strove  to  shield 

His  fainting  Comrade  on  that  battlefield, 

And  when  all  hope  was  lost  he  bowed  his  head, 

Hiding  his  tears  for  the  illustrious  dead. 

Brave,  gentle  Chevallier  DuBuysson,  O! 

Thy  name  will  live  while  Camden  roses  blow, 

Thy  deeds  will  ever  tender  memories  bring 

While  mocking-birds  in  South  Carolina  sing! 

And  they  are  singing  soft  and  low  today, 

As  when  thy  noble  spirit  passed  away. 


76 


BATTLE       OF       HOBKIRK       HILL 

CAMDEN!  by  fragrant  breezes  fanned, 

On  South  Carolina's  flowering  plain, 
Where  mighty  pines  in  grandeur  stand, 

Thy  charm  is  in  our  hearts  again! 
The  northern  guests  at  Hobkirk  Inn, 

Were  gathered  round  the  firelight, 
Urging  the  major  to  beg'n 

His  story  of  the  Hobkirk  fight! 
Before  our  glowing  fireplace, 

As  lights  and  shadows  danced  above, 
I  watched  the  interested  face 

Of  a  sweet  Boston  girl  I  love! 
At  last  the  major  rose  to  say 

"Storming  of  Hobkirk  Hill  begun 
At  noon,  one  pleasant  April  day, 

In  seventeen  hundred  eighty-one! 
Nathaniel  Green  was  in  command 

Of  our  rough  Continentals,  when 
Lord  Rawdon,  on  the  other  hand 

Led  England's  force  of  well-trained  men! 


77 


BATTLE  OF    HOBKIRK   HILL 

Our  men  were  charging  without  fear 

Through  flying  lead  and  battle  smoke, 
When,  just  as  victory  seemed  near, 

The  Marylander's  column  broke! 
The  raw  recruits  had  fled  amain, 

Trying  the  sheltering  woods  to  reach, 
And  ere  our  line  could  form  again, 

Lord  Rawdon's  veterans  filled  the  breach 
Though  Hobkirk  Hill  the  British  won, 

Yet  Lord  Cornwallis  had  to  yield 
To  the  advance  of  Washington, 

On  Yorktown's  famous  battlefield!" 

The  hour  was  late,  the  fire  burned  low, 

At  last  the  blundering  story  ends, 
The  blushing  major  said:  "I  know 

You  will  forgive  my  sketch,  dear  friends!' 
As  all  with  laughter  said  goodnight, 

One,  whom  I  love,  delayed  awhile, 
And  in  the  fleeting  firelight 

I  found  strange  sweetness  in  her  smile! 


78 


VIRGINIA 

I  MET  her  where  the  sunlight  shines 

O'er  splendid  oaks  and  long-leaf  pines, 

Where  green  leaves  stir  with  flash  of  wings, 

And  joyfully  the  brown  thrush  sings! 

Shall  I  compare  her  with  the  rose 

In  such  enchanting  beauty  grows, 

Or  lilies  that  in  brave  array, 

Lift  up  their  precious  buds  today? 

Alas,  they  fade  in  fragrant  air, 

These  gems  the  sunrise  found  so  fair! 

The  meadow  blossoms  kiss  her  feet, 

She  is  so  sweet,  she  is  so  sweet, 

And  lilies  of  the  valley  rest 

Against  the  heaven  of  her  breast. 


79 


THE   KING   HAIGLAR   WEATHER-VANE   AT  CAMDEN 


KING    HAIGLAR 

WITHIN  the  shadows  of  this  wood, 

Long,  long  ago  King  Haiglar  stood. 

With  arrow  fitted  to  his  bow, 

He  watched  the  ever  cautious  doe, 

Leading  afield  her  timid  fawn, 

In  the  first  pearly  light  of  dawn ! 

And  though  his  Indian  heart  was  wild, 

He  spared  the  mother  with  her  child. 

A  great  Catawba  Chief  was  he. 

Our  vane  shows  his  proud  effigy ; 

Whichever  way  the  wind  may  blow, 

He  turns  to  face  his  subtle  foe! 

Friend  of  the  white  man,  brave  and  true, 

We  still  are  looking  up  to  you ! 


81 


IN     DIXIE     LAND 

BROTHERS  in  these  fair  Southern  lands, 

In  friendship  we  would  clasp  your  hands; 

Forget  all  bitterness  today, 

So  many  years  have  passed  away 

Since  North  and  South  went  out  to  fight 

For  principles  both  held  were  right. 

Ah,  who  was  right?    God  only  knows, 

O'er  countless  graves  the  south  wind  blows. 

Birds  on  their  southern  journey  see 

The  grasses  wave  o'er  General  Lee, 

A  man  who  made  our  legions  feel 

The  temper  of  the  Southern  steel! 

Our  hearts  are  stirring  with  thy  name, 

Brave  Robert  Lee,  of  deathless  fame. 


82 


AGNES    OF    GLASGOW 

WITH  eyes  grown  dim  I  kneel  to  brush  aside 
The  flowering  vine  the  stone's  faint  letters  hide. 
"Agnes  of  Glasgow."    Ah,  how  many  years 
Thy  quiet  sleep,  since  thou  with  smiles  or  tears 
Danced  in  the  sunshine,  in  thy  homespun  gown, 
When  British  music  played  in  Camden  town! 
How  little  in  her  clouded  life  appears 
Of  joy  or  hope,  rather  of  grief  and  fears. 
Crossing  the  sea,  this  lass  so  young  and  fair, 
Sought  her  lost  Love  only  to  find  despair! 
A  friend  of  Lord  Cornwallis,  people  say, 
Yet,  standing  here,  beside  her  grave  today, 
Where  radiant  sunlight  the  dark  shadows  meet, 
I  dream  of  her  as  beautiful  and  sweet. 


FAY 

Fay  is  versatile  as  May! 

Though  the  mornings  dawn  so  fair, 
Whirlwinds  in  the  evening  air 

Make  the  rose  and  lily  sway! 

Nay,  the  May  is  charming,  Fay, 
Meadow-larks  are  on  the  wing, 
Soft  and  low  the  chewinks  sing, 

And  the  thrush  is  piping  gay! 

Fay  makes  beautiful  my  day, 

Yet  if  I  dare  whisper,  dear, 

Life  grows  sweet  when  thou  art  near, 
Turns  her  lovely  face  away! 


84 


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